IN-form Ramsbottom United have boosted their ranks as they bid for promotion from the Evo-Stik League First Division North – and their two new signings are both men joint managers Bernard Morley and Anthony Johnson have been watching for some time.

The Riverside Stadium chiefs have moved to sign Frenchman Cedric Krou and midfielder Scott Burton as they aim to extend their run of five straight wins and one defeat in their last 12 league games.

That run has helped the Rams climb into seventh place in the table and after last night’s postponement of the home clash with Prescot Cables, they have a game in hand on the three sides above them.

They are the league’s form side with 17 matches to go and Morley is sure the new duo can help the Rams into the Evo-Stik League Premier Division.

Paris-born Krou arrives at The Riverside from Trafford and is a central defender or midfielder. The 22-year-old is a long-time target of the club and Morley said: “He will add height and strength to the defence and is someone we have hoped to sign for quite some time.”

Burton is another established performer in the Pyramid and the 26-year-old’s signature is one that cheered Johnson, who said: “We are delighted to have signed Scott.

“We’ve watched him over the last couple of years, and he was in the Runcorn side that ran us very close for the North West Counties League title a couple of years back.

“He’s a hard-working midfield playe and will prove a useful addition to the squad.”

Both new men are set to feature for the Rams when they travel to Birkenhead for their game with Cammell Laird on Saturday.

But three men who will not be involved are Ashley Reece, Lewis Lacy and Andrew Fitzgerald.

Fitzgerald’s loan spell from Skrill Premier side Hyde was due to expire at the end of January, while Reece is to return to America after a short stay in the UK. Lacy has returned to his former club FC United.

Meanwhile, winger Grant Spencer has hailed the spirit in the camp – and reckons Saturday’s win in the mud at Clitheroe showed just what they are about.

“I said at the start of January that we would have to knuckle down and we have done that,” said Spencer.

“It was a hard fought win at Clitheroe but we dug deep to get it. We are usually a footballing side but the weather meant that we had to show a different side to our game.”